Table 19 is a 2017Americancomedy film directed by Jeffrey Blitz, starring Anna Kendrick as Eloise McGarry, a young woman who, after being unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend—the best man—via text message, decides to attend her best friend's wedding anyway.[1] Relieved of her maid-of-honor duties, Eloise arrives only to be seated at Table 19, the farthest and least desirable spot at the reception, shared with a quirky assortment of fellow "rejects" including the bride's former nanny Jo Flanagan (June Squibb), the awkward ex-felon Walter Thimble (Stephen Merchant) desperate to reclaim his cat from his ex-wife, the teenager Renzo "Rez" Eckberg (Tony Revolori), and the married couple Jerry and Bina Kepp (Craig Robinson and Lisa Kudrow).[2][3]The story unfolds over the course of the wedding reception, where the unlikely group at Table 19 bonds through shared discomfort and personal disclosures, leading to comedic mishaps, budding romances, and moments of unexpected empathy amid the celebratory chaos.[4] Key supporting characters include Jo, who grapples with her past and a family secret; Walter, whose obsession with his pet highlights his isolation; Rez, navigating family pressures; and the Kepps, adding humor and pathos.[2]Blitz co-wrote the screenplay based on a story by brothers Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass, with production handled by Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, P. Jennifer Dana, and Mark Roberts under 21 Laps Entertainment and 3311 Productions.[3] Released theatrically by Fox Searchlight Pictures on March 3, 2017, the film runs 87 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating for language and some thematic elements.[2][5] It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier that year, showcasing its ensemble-driven take on social awkwardness at weddings.[3]Critically, Table 19 garnered mixed responses, earning a 25% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 118 reviews, with praise for the talented cast's chemistry but criticism for contrived plotting and uneven tone.[5] On IMDb, it holds a 5.8 out of 10 rating from 32,334 user votes, reflecting audience appreciation for its lighthearted moments despite perceived flaws.[1] Financially, the film was produced on a $5 million budget and grossed approximately $5.04 million worldwide, including $3.61 million domestically, marking a modest box-office performance.[6] It received a Teen Choice Award nomination for Choice Comedy Movie in 2017 but no major wins.[7]
Story and Characters
Plot
Eloise McGarry, recently dumped by her boyfriend Teddy—the best man and brother of the bride—via text message, decides to attend the wedding of her longtime friend Francie Millner despite being demoted from maid of honor to a seat at the distant Table 19, reserved for peripheral guests near the restrooms.[8] There, she joins a group of social outcasts: Jo Flanagan, the bride's elderly former nanny who carries a bag of medical marijuana and shares fond memories of Francie's childhood; the bickering married couple Bina and Jerry Kepp, owners of a diner who constantly snipe at each other amid their failing relationship; the awkward teenager Renzo Eckberg, desperate for romantic attention from a girl at the event; and Walter Thimble, a nervous parolee who initially fabricates a successful business career but later confesses to having served time in prison for embezzling $125,000 from the bride's father, his uncle.[4][2]As the reception unfolds, the Table 19 group bonds over their shared isolation, engaging in awkward conversations and small adventures that reveal deeper personal struggles: Jo's terminal cancer and resulting loneliness following her estrangement from the family after years of service; Jerry and Bina's marital discord, culminating in Bina's admission of an impending affair; Renzo's social ineptitude and repeated rejections; and Walter's shame over his criminal past and ongoing parole restrictions.[4] Eloise, grappling with her own heartbreak and the secret of her pregnancy with Teddy's child—which prompted the breakup—flirts with Huck, an affable Australian wedding crasher from a nearby event, leading to a brief romantic spark that distracts her from confronting her ex.[9] The group's dynamics escalate during a chaotic intervention at the cake-cutting ceremony, where Walter orchestrates a diversionary "cake heist" after the dessert is mishandled, allowing them to momentarily steal the spotlight and affirm their makeshift camaraderie.[10]Tensions peak when Eloise finally confronts Teddy about their relationship and her pregnancy, while the Table 19 guests offer unexpected support, encouraging her to embrace vulnerability. In a key revelation, the bride Francie discloses that she deliberately assigned Eloise to Table 19 to surround her with empathetic outsiders who could provide the familial warmth she needed during this crisis, underscoring the table's symbolic role as a haven for the overlooked.[11] The film resolves with Eloise reconciling with Teddy, who returns to profess his commitment. In the epilogue, a few months later, the Table 19 guests have bonded as lifelong friends: Jo has died of cancer, with the reconciled Kepps adopting her dog; Renzo has found a girlfriend; and Walter refers to the group as family. Eloise and Teddy are married, welcoming their newborn son Joe, and mailing birth announcements to the Table 19 attendees as the family celebrates their new beginning.[8]
Cast
The principal cast of Table 19 consists of an ensemble of comedic character actors well-suited to portraying the film's collection of social misfits and wedding outcasts, whose quirky interactions drive the story's humor and heart. Anna Kendrick leads as Eloise McGarry, the disgraced former maid of honor who attends her best friend's wedding after being dumped by the best man via text message.[1]Craig Robinson portrays Jerry Kepp, one half of a bickering diner-owning couple who are longtime acquaintances of the groom's family.[1]Lisa Kudrow plays Bina Kepp, Jerry's wife and co-owner of their diner, whose strained marriage adds tension to the group's dynamics.[4]June Squibb is cast as Jo Flanagan, the bride's elderly former nanny and a warm, observant guest who shares nostalgic stories about the family.[4]Stephen Merchant embodies Walter Thimble, the awkward and recently paroled uncle of the groom, whose past troubles make him an uneasy fit among the guests.[1]Wyatt Russell appears as Teddy Millner, the best man, brother of the bride, and Eloise's ex-boyfriend, whose presence at the event complicates her emotional journey.[12]Tony Revolori rounds out the key ensemble as Renzo Eckberg, a socially inept teenager brought to the wedding by his mother in hopes of a romantic encounter.[13]
Production
Development
The development of Table 19 originated from a story concept by brothers Jay and Mark Duplass, who envisioned a comedy centered on a group of social misfits relegated to the least desirable table at a wedding reception. Initially, the Duplass brothers were set to write and direct the project for Fox Searchlight Pictures, with producers Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, P. Jennifer Dana, and Mark Roberts involved early on through 21 Laps Entertainment and 3311 Productions; the idea drew comparisons to The Breakfast Club but with adult characters navigating awkward interpersonal dynamics at a destination wedding. However, the Duplass brothers stepped away from directing duties in late 2011, leading to the hiring of Jeffrey Blitz—who had previously collaborated with Levy—to write the screenplay based on the Duplass brothers' story and take over as director. Blitz expanded their core premise into a full screenplay that emphasized ensemble comedy alongside genuine, heartfelt character revelations, allowing each misfit guest ample time to reveal their vulnerabilities and foster unexpected connections.[14]The project gained momentum in 2014 as Blitz refined the script during pre-production, focusing on authentic humor derived from honest emotional beats rather than broad gags. Fox Searchlight Pictures greenlit the film with a modest production budget of $5 million, aligning with the studio's support for character-driven indie comedies. Casting announcements began in early 2015, starting with Anna Kendrick signing on to play the lead role of Eloise McGarry, the demoted maid of honor, in a reunion with Blitz from his 2007 film Rocket Science. The ensemble was quickly assembled around her, with key hires including Craig Robinson as the beleaguered husband Jerry Kepp and Lisa Kudrow as his exasperated wife Bina Kepp, both announced amid preparations for principal photography.
Filming
Principal photography for Table 19 took place over 26 days from late March to April 2015 in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Georgia.[15][16] The production adhered to a tight schedule influenced by the film's $5 million budget, ensuring efficient shooting to stay within financial constraints.[6][16]Filming primarily occurred at upscale venues around Lake Lanier Islands and Lake Oconee to capture the wedding reception scenes, simulating a high-society event with elegant outdoor settings.[17] Interior sequences depicting interactions at the titular table were shot using local estates in areas like Douglasville and soundstages in Atlanta studios.[18] The production faced no major reported challenges, though the compressed timeline demanded rigorous pacing.[16]Directed by Jeffrey Blitz, the shoot emphasized an improvisational comedy style suited to the ensemble cast, drawing from the Duplass brothers' story and script to foster natural, character-driven performances.[19]Cinematography was handled by Ben Richardson, who employed a widescreen format to highlight the intimate dynamics among the table's misfit guests.[2] This approach allowed the film to focus on relational tensions and humor within the confined wedding setting.[20]
Music
Score
The original musical score for Table 19 was composed by John Swihart, an American composer renowned for his contributions to comedic films and television series, including Napoleon Dynamite and Youth in Revolt.[21][22]Swihart's score was composed following principal photography in Atlanta in 2016.
Featured Songs
The featured songs in Table 19 are covers of 1980s new wave tracks performed by the band Oberhofer, serving as licensed, diegetic music to underscore the film's comedic exploration of social awkwardness at a wedding. The soundtrack album, titled Table 19: Oberhofer's Ultimate Wedding Mixtape (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), was released on March 3, 2017, by Glassnote Records, featuring ten tracks of 1980s covers.[23][24] These selections were curated to align with the movie's retro-comedy aesthetic, drawing on nostalgic synth-pop elements that highlight the characters' ironic attempts at connection and festivity.[25]Prominent examples include Oberhofer's rendition of "All Through the Night" (originally by Cyndi Lauper), which plays during a group dance sequence where the misfit table guests awkwardly bond on the floor, amplifying the scene's humorous nostalgia.[26] Another key track is "Space Age Love Song" (by A Flock of Seagulls), featured when Eloise kisses Rez on the cheek, underscoring the group's platonic camaraderie amid the wedding chaos.[27] Similarly, "Dance Hall Days" (originally by Wang Chung) punctuates a lively reception montage, where the covers' upbeat tempo contrasts the characters' relational mishaps for comedic effect.[28]The licensing process for these Oberhofer covers was handled through Glassnote Records, with the tracks integrated during post-production editing to rhythmically emphasize punchy, laugh-out-loud transitions and emotional beats, ensuring they evoked 1980s wedding vibes without overpowering the dialogue-driven humor.[23] This approach allowed the songs to function as narrative enhancers, blending irony and warmth in scenes of reconciliation and revelry.[25]
Release and Distribution
Theatrical Release
Table 19 was distributed theatrically by Fox Searchlight Pictures, which handled its nationwide rollout in the United States.[16]The film received a wide theatrical release on March 3, 2017.[29]Fox Searchlight employed a limited release strategy, opening in 868 theaters to target art-house and comedy audiences initially.[16] This approach allowed for a gradual expansion based on early reception, with the film earning approximately $1.6 million in its opening weekend as an initial performance indicator.[6]Marketing for the release focused on trailers that emphasized Anna Kendrick's central role as the dumped maid of honor and the ensemble's comedic dynamics at a wedding.[30] Promotional efforts included wedding-themed tie-ins to appeal to audiences interested in lighthearted romantic comedies.[31] The campaign positioned the film as a quirky ensemble piece about misfits finding connection, aligning with Searchlight's specialty in indie-leaning fare.With a runtime of 87 minutes, Table 19 earned an MPAA rating of PG-13 for language and some thematic elements.[6] This rating reflected its blend of humor and mild dramatic tension without excessive intensity, making it suitable for a broad adult audience during its theatrical run.[32]
Home Media
The home media release of Table 19 followed its limited theatrical run, making the film accessible to consumers through physical and digital formats.[6]Digital downloads and streaming became available starting June 13, 2017, via platforms including Amazon Video and iTunes, distributed by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.[33][34] On the same date, the physical editions were released, including a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD combo pack (SRP $39.99) and a standalone DVD + Digital HD edition (SRP $29.98).[35][36]These standard releases featured supplementary materials such as four deleted scenes (totaling 8:12), three promotional featurettes—"Table of Rejects" (1:42), "Head of the Table" (2:21), and "Table for Six" (2:04)—a photo gallery with 30 images presented as a 2:28 slideshow, and the theatrical trailer (2:24).[35] Audio options included 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio for English on Blu-ray, with subtitles in English SDH, Spanish, and French (plus additional languages on Blu-ray). No major special editions or collector's sets were produced.[35][33]As of 2025, Table 19 remains available for streaming on services like Hulu and Disney+, alongside rental and purchase options on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.[37][38][39] There have been no significant re-releases or updated editions since the initial 2017 launch.[6]
Reception
Critical Response
Table 19 garnered mixed to negative reviews from critics, reflecting divided opinions on its blend of comedy and drama. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 25% approval rating based on 118 reviews, with an average rating of 4.5/10.[5] On Metacritic, it received a score of 40 out of 100 based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[40]Critics frequently praised Anna Kendrick's lead performance for its vivacity and the ensemble's chemistry, which provided occasional heartfelt moments amid the film's uneven execution. Owen Gleiberman of Variety commended Kendrick's authentic energy, noting it offered a "slender shot at commercial success," while highlighting the cast's notable talents including Lisa Kudrow, Craig Robinson, and Stephen Merchant.[2] However, many reviews criticized the film's predictable plot, underdeveloped characters, and tonal inconsistencies between comedy and drama. Sheri Linden of The Hollywood Reporter described it as a "misfire," pointing to its misguided mess despite small human moments.[3]Director Jeffrey Blitz's handling of the material drew particular scrutiny for failing to balance the genres effectively, resulting in contrived scenarios and robotic dialogue. Gleiberman observed that "almost everything that happens in ‘Table 19’ rings cloyingly false," suggesting Blitz overstated elements to the point of awkwardness.[2] Despite these flaws, some reviewers acknowledged the film's underlying charm in exploring social awkwardness at weddings, though its underperformance at the box office contributed to limited critical buzz.[4]
Box Office Performance
Table 19 had a production budget of $5 million.[6]The film opened in 868 theaters on March 3, 2017, earning $1,597,928 during its debut weekend, placing 17th at the North American box office behind major releases such as Logan, Get Out, and The Shack.[6][41] Its modest opening reflected a challenging post-Oscar marketplace crowded with high-profile films, limiting its visibility in the comedy genre.[42]Domestically, Table 19 grossed $3,614,896, while international earnings totaled $1,427,118, resulting in a worldwide gross of $5,042,014.[43] This figure represented approximately 1.0 times the production budget, indicating the film barely recouped its costs theatrically.[43] The underperformance was partly attributed to mixed critical reception, which impacted audience attendance.[5] Internationally, the film saw no significant breakthroughs, with releases confined to select markets yielding minimal returns.[43]